Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen
Consolidated Edition, 2009

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This Code of Safe Working Practices is intended primarily for merchant seamen on United Kingdom registered vessels. Copies of the current printed edition of the Code must be carried on all United Kingdom ships other than fishing vessels and pleasure craft, and a copy must be made available to any seaman in the ship who requests it, in accordance with the Merchant Shipping (Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen) Regulations 1998. There should always be an adequate number of copies to allow the Master, Safety Officer and any members of the Safety Committee to have their own, leaving at least one available for general reference.

Click here to view Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen [8.81Mb]

Click here to view Annex 1.2 [276kb]
Click here to view Annex 1.3 [441kb]
Click here to view Annex 16.1.1 [422kb]
Click here to view Annex 16.1.2 [433kb]
Click here to view Annex 16.1.3 [424kb]
Click here to view Annex 16.1.4 [426kb]
Click here to view Annex 16.1.5 [450kb]
Click here to view Annex 16.1.6 [438kb]
Click here to view Annex 16.1.7 [338kb]
Click here to view Annex 16.2.1 [439kb]
Click here to view Annex 21.1.1 [395kb]
Click here to view Annex 21.1.2 [479kb]
Click here to view Annex 21.1.3 [399kb]
Click here to view Annex 21.1.4 [398kb]
Click here to view Annex 21.2.1 [393kb]
Click here to view Annex 21.2.2 [399kb]
Click here to view Annex 21.2.3 [397kb]
Click here to view Annex 21.3 [399kb]

Signs

Supplementary Information
Square or oblong.
Black text on a white background or white symbol or symbol and text on a green background that is supplemented with text in the relevant contrasting colour.

Click here to view Drinking Water [12kb]          Click here to view Emergency Telephone [9kb]          Click here to view Stop Machinery [14kb]          

Warning
Triangular.
Black symbol or symbol and text on a yellow background surrounded by a black triangular band.

Click here to view Acetylene [12kb]
Click here to view Bump [10kb]
Click here to view Corrosive [14kb]
Click here to view Entrapment [10kb]
Click here to view Flammable [9kb]
Click here to view Harmful Fumes [26kb]
Click here to view Hot Surface 1 [10kb]
Click here to view Industrial [9kb]
Click here to view Low Temperature [11kb]
Click here to view Moving Vehicles 2 [16kb]
Click here to view Optical Radiation [10kb]
Click here to view Oxygen [11kb]
Click here to view Starts Automaticly [10kb]
                                                     
Click here to view Biological [10kb]
Click here to view Co2 Protected [15kb]
Click here to view Drop [10kb]
Click here to view Explosive Atmosphere [13kb]
Click here to view General [8kb]
Click here to view High Noise [25kb]
Click here to view Hot Surface 2 [12kb]
Click here to view Irritant [10kb]
Click here to view Magnetic Field [9kb]
Click here to view Non Ionising [9kb]
Click here to view Overhead [9kb]
Click here to view Radioactive [9kb]
Click here to view Suffocation [10kb]
                                                               
Click here to view Breakthrough [10kb]
Click here to view Compressed Gas [16kb]
Click here to view Electrical Earth [13kb]
Click here to view Explosive Materials [13kb]
Click here to view Glass Hazard [10kb]
Click here to view High Temperature [10kb]
Click here to view Hot Water [14kb]
Click here to view Laser [9kb]
Click here to view Moving Vehilces 1 [14kb]
Click here to view Obstacles [10kb]
Click here to view Oxidant [10kb]
Click here to view Slippery [12kb]
Click here to view Toxic [14kb]
                                                     

Prohibited
Circular with cross band.
Black symbol on a white background, inside a red circle with a red cross bar.

Click here to view Industrial Vehicles [10kb]
Click here to view Grinding Wheel [21kb]
Click here to view Extinguishing Water [10kb]
Click here to view Operate [12kb]
Click here to view Telephones [12kb]
                                                     
Click here to view Pedestrian Access [10kb]
Click here to view Machine Cleaning [23kb]
Click here to view Machine [24kb]
Click here to view Smoking [10kb]
                                                               
Click here to view Unautorised Access [10kb]
Click here to view Drinking Water [9kb]
Click here to view Naked Flames [10kb]
Click here to view Touch [9kb]
                                                     

Safe Procedure
Square or oblong.
White symbol or symbol and text on a green background.

Click here to view Person Down [9kb]
Click here to view Person Left [9kb]
Click here to view Down 2 [8kb]
Click here to view Up 2 [kb]
                                                     
Click here to view Down [8kb]
Click here to view Right [8kb]
Click here to view Left 2 [98kb]
Click here to view Person Up [17kb]
                                                              
Click here to view Left [8kb]
Click here to view Person Right [30kb]
Click here to view Right 2 [9kb]
                                                     

Fire
Square or oblong.
White symbol or symbol and text on a red background.

Click here to view Alarm [10kb]
Click here to view Co2 Fixed [11kb]
Click here to view Dry Powder Fixed [11kb]
Click here to view Fire Flap [14kb]
Click here to view Foam Information [36kb]
Click here to view Ladder [9kb]
Click here to view Stop Valve [13kb]
Click here to view Water Information [23kb]
Click here to view Right [9kb]
                                                     
Click here to view Blanket [30kb]
Click here to view Co2 Information [34kb]
Click here to view Extinguisher 1 [9kb]
Click here to view FM200 [11kb]
Click here to view Hose [10kb]
Click here to view NOVEC1230 [12kb]
Click here to view Telephone [10kb]
Click here to view Down [9kb]
Click here to view Up [9kb]
                                                                
Click here to view Co2 [13kb]
Click here to view Dry Powder [12kb]
Click here to view Extinguisher 2 [13kb]
Click here to view Foam [11kb]
Click here to view In Case Of [16kb]
Click here to view Powder Information [36kb]
Click here to view Water [14kb]
Click here to view Left [9kb]
                                                     

First Aid
Square or oblong.
White symbol or symbol and text on a green background.

Click here to view Eyewash [13kb]
Click here to view Stretcher [9kb]
                                                     
Click here to view Post [8kb]
                                                                 
Click here to view Shower [13kb]
                                                     

Mandatory
Circular.
White symbol or symbol and text on a blue background.

Click here to view Closed at Sea [12kb]
Click here to view Emergency Exit [13kb]
Click here to view Face Protection [12kb]
Click here to view Guards Position [14kb]
Click here to view Keep Clear [11kb]
Click here to view Resporator [13kb]
Click here to view Safety Harness [12kb]
Click here to view High Visability [10kb]
Click here to view Welding Mask [20kb]
                                                     
Click here to view Dust Mask [24kb]
Click here to view Escape Route [14kb]
Click here to view Cover Food [20kb]
Click here to view Guards Used [18kb]
Click here to view Keep Door Clear [13kb]
Click here to view Safety Boots [10kb]
Click here to view Safety Helmet [10kb]
Click here to view Wash Hands [14kb]
                                                                  
Click here to view Ear Protection [10kb]
Click here to view Eye Protection [11kb]
Click here to view General [9kb]
Click here to view Cover Hair [26kb]
Click here to view Pedestrian Route [10kb]
Click here to view Safety Gloves [10kb]
Click here to view Overalls [9kb]
Click here to view Watertight Door [14kb]
                                                    

Contact Details

MCA
Seafarer Health and Safety Branch
Bay 2/09
Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG
Tel: 02380 329328
Fax: 02380 329251
e-mail: seafarer.h&s@mcga.gov.uk

TSO
Customer Services
The Stationery Office Ltd
PO Box 29
Norwich
NR3 1GN
Tel: +44 (0)870 600 5522
Fax: +44 (0)870 600 5533
e-mail: customerservices@tso.co.uk